Ruben Dias

Ruben Dias is a Portuguese footballer currently starring at the heart of the Manchester City defence. A former Young Player of the Year in his home country, he first made his name with Primeira Liga giants Benfica, making nearly 140 appearances for them and helping them to the 2018-19 league title. His €68 million move to English titans Manchester City in September 2020 showed beyond doubt that he has become one of the world’s most highly-rated centre-backs.

Dias was born in Amadora, Portugal in May 1997. He began his footballing career with the local team, Estrela de Amadora, when he was nine years old. Two years later, he joined Benfica’s academy and began establishing himself in their youth team. In 2015, he made his professional debut in the Portuguese Secunda Liga with Benfica’s “B” team, eventually helping them to secure their highest-ever league finish. In 2016, a host of first-team injuries meant that Dias was called to make his senior debut for Benfica in a Champions League tie against Russian side Zenit St Petersburg. However, it would be another year before he would make his Primeira Liga debut and become a key part of the first team. Once he was established there, it didn’t take long before Dias began attracting international attention. Ultimately, it was Manchester City who won the race to sign him.

Dias has also enjoyed a highly successful international career, representing Portugal at every possible junior level before making his senior debut in 2018. When they beat the Netherlands in the 2019 UEFA Nations League final, Dias was named Man of the Match.